Effect of repetition rate on the formation of microtears in tendon in an in vivo cyclical loading model.

We reported previously the formation of microtears in an in vivo loaded Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) rabbit tendon with a repetition rate of 60 repetitions per minute and a peak force of 15% of maximum peak tetanic force for 80 cumulative hours. Tear area as a percent of tendon area, tear density (tears/mm(2)), and mean tear size (microm(2)) were higher in tendons from the loaded limb compared to the unloaded control limb. The purpose of the present study was to compare those results to results obtained with a repetition rate of 10 while maintaining the same peak force and force-time integral (n = 8).

VEGF, VEGFR-1, and CTGF cell densities in tendon are increased with cyclical loading: An in vivo tendinopathy model.

Tendon injuries can occur in athletes and workers whose tasks involve repetitive, high-force hand activities, but the early pathophysiologic processes of tendinopathy are not well known. The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate the effects of cyclical tendon loading on the densities of cells producing growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) tendon at the epicondyle. The FDP muscles of nine New Zealand rabbits were electrically stimulated to contract repetitively for 80 h of cumulative loading over 14 weeks.

Evidence of tendon microtears due to cyclical loading in an in vivo tendinopathy model.

Tendon injuries at the epicondyle can occur in athletes and workers whose job functions involve repetitive, high force hand activities, but the early pathophysiologic changes of tendon are not well known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate early tendon structural changes, specifically the formation of microtears, caused by cyclical loading. The Flexor Digitorum Profundus (FDP) muscle of nine New Zealand White rabbits was stimulated to contract repetitively for 80 h of cumulative loading over 14 weeks.